Igloo FR464 mini-fridge

[Twitch]

In light of me wanting to purchase one of these fridges, I ended up getting a 7cu ft. MagicChef freezer from Home Depot. They have a sale on them right now, so it is only $158. I like the growth I will have with a keezer, so I opted to spend a little extra money.

Here are some pics of the freezer. It will hold three corny kegs easily, and the CO2 will fit on the hump if it's a 5lb. I got a 10lb CO2 tank though, so I will be making a collar for my keezer.

Not to take away from the op, but this is my build that I decided on after doing more research.

7cu ft. keezer $158
19cu ft. fermentation freezer $150 (used on craigslist)
Ranco Temp Controller $80

I'm going to use the Ranco for the ferment chamber, and I will modify the internal thermostat for the keezer so that it stays above freezing. I don't need precision for the keezer like I will for the ferment chamber, so I only bought one temp controller to save on costs.

 

[raf1919]

here is my completed one

 

[sa1126]

How's it holding up? Temps okay? I think I'm going to covert one too. Got any pics of the inside with the regulator and co2 tank?

 

[raf1919]

I actually put my tank behind the wall.

Temps seem good as well took two seperate readings one from laying probe on the hump in back and other from laying on top of keg

 

[sa1126]

Nice! Do you think a 5lb tank would fit behind the kegs?

 

[raf1919]

Nice! Do you think a 5lb tank would fit behind the kegs?

ya i would think so. i have never seen one, but i have 15lb tank and mine is to tall. but there is enough room width would jsut come down to height. This fridge is same size maybe bigger than some of the danby or sanyos that people have successfully fit two kegs and co2.

 

[sa1126]

ya i would think so. i have never seen one but i have 15lb tank and mine is to tall. but there is enough room width would jsut come down to heights. but this fridge is same size maybe bigger than some of the danby or sanyos that people have successfully fit two kegs and co2.

Sweet. Thanks for the info!

 

[raf1919]

the finishing touch.. a thermostat.

 

[PaintedRat]

I just picked one of these up and started playing with it. Yes, a 5# CO2 with reg will easily stand on the hump without interrupting the kegs, with space for bottles or whatever too. I unscrewed the 16 or so screws holding the seal and door panel on, and just screwed the seal back on. I don't feel any cool spots around the door. The built in regulator is in the way of the second keg, but is only held in place by one screw. I removed the controller housing and just bent what I assume is the temp probe wire back to sit the controller above the hump instead. The higher the number on the thermostat, the lower the temp. At 1 with one full keg, it holds around 50-51degrees. I turned the knob to 7 overnight, and ice condensed on the ceiling and walls, and the cylinder of water with thermometer was at 37. It seemed like the compressor was running full time though. There is a small channel behind the hump that funnels to a drilled drain hole with no plug.

I mocked up my ball locks and converted pin locks. The ball locks would not fit two without trimming the shelf rails on the sides. The second keg sticks out the door about an inch without trimming. The pin lock kegs will only fit one. I suppose if you have a 2.5 or 3 gallon keg, you could fit it in along with a 5gal pin lock keg. If anyone wants pics of fermenters/keg/co2 tanks mocked up, PM me and I'm happy to do so until I have it in use.

Update: I cut down a whiteboard I had lying around to 18 5/8 x 31. I used the original door panel as a template to drill 1/8" holes, and remounted it with the door seal on it. Putting it back on would be easier with two people. The groove in the top of the door holds pens too

 

[res313]

I just converted mine yesterday. I can get both kegs in, but i literally have to force the second one in. This is after shaving the shelf holders off. Anybody have experience with this?

 

[raf1919]

I just converted mine yesterday. I can get both kegs in, but i literally have to force the second one in. This is after shaving the shelf holders off. Anybody have experience with this?

yes mine is same. tight squeeze but gets in there. if it was only like 1/2 inch wider would be perfect.

 

[PaintedRat]

It is a tight fit. I don't have to shoulder into it to get the second keg in or anything.

 

[res313]

I'm in the field right now. All I can think about is kegging my beer.

 

[JoesInBoston]

So, I just looked at my office fridge and it is the FR464. not sure where my coworkers bought it back in October. It has the coolant lines in the freezer compartment, however.

I hope the one that I ordered a couple days ago from Walmart.com doesn't have the coolant lines. I don't want to have to trust myself with bending coolant lines.

Here's hoping.

 

[res313]

The one I ordered for store pickup had the removable freezer. Make sure to check it for damage the packaging is terrible.

 

[JoesInBoston]

So it arrived, and the freezer compartment was removeable! Huzzah!

Only problem is that the unit was damaged in shipping and the door wont stay on. The hinge is bent. I thought about bending it back myself, but SWMBO convinced me to have Walmart send another one.

 

[fusa]

Has anyone installed a faucet tower on this? I mainly use mine for lagering, but I am considering added a tower.

 

[s89bunton]

Has anyone removed the door storage rack? If so how much depth did this add from the compression hump to the door?

 

[temple240]

Has anyone removed the door storage rack? If so how much depth did this add from the compression hump to the door?

I just removed mine last weekend. I'll measure it tonight for you.

 

[temple240]

So it arrived, and the freezer compartment was removeable! Huzzah!

Only problem is that the unit was damaged in shipping and the door wont stay on. The hinge is bent. I thought about bending it back myself, but SWMBO convinced me to have Walmart send another one.

It sounds like everyone gets a damaged fridge to done extent. Mine wasn't too bad so i let it go. I don't even think it's from shipping, i think they send them out damaged.

 

[JoesInBoston]

It sounds like everyone gets a damaged fridge to done extent. Mine wasn't too bad so i let it go. I don't even think it's from shipping, i think they send them out damaged.

Well, turns out that the 2nd fridge that Walmart shipped me was broken as well. The motor turned on, but after 24 hours it actually got warmer inside, not colder. I returned it for a refund.

I just ordered a Danby DAR125SLDD from Amazon, instead (Prime FTW!).

 

[res313]

Started my full conversion today. Currently have two kegs in the fridge.

 

[raf1919]

thought i'd give an update.. almost 2yrs old and this thing is running like a champ still.

 

[Newsman]

I just finished (mostly -- still need to move the thermostat / light) my single-tap kegerator last night. I'm not sure what model, but I have a 4.4/4.5 CU Ft mini-fridge which came with removable trays in the door, so I didn't have to cut anything. The only thing I did "wrong" (IMHO) was that I didn't make sure the tap was perfectly parallel to the sides... it's slightly at an angle to the front of the fridge. Oh, well... it'll work. When I eventually upgrade to a dual-tap tower, I'll fix that.

 

[SmCranf]

Anyone have any tips for shaving down the sides to fit a second ball lock? I have a single keg in there now, and some conditioning beer but eventually want to put two kegs with a dual tower!

 

[NathPowe]

Anyone have any tips for shaving down the sides to fit a second ball lock? I have a single keg in there now, and some conditioning beer but eventually want to put two kegs with a dual tower!

I just used a utility knife with a fresh blade to shave off the shelf brackets on mine. Just be careful to not cut yourself or slice up the walls too bad. I put some aluminum foil-style ducting tape over the brackets "holes" afterward (it's what I had on hand).

Two ball-locks fit will but, as others have probably mentioned, be prepared for it to be tight.

Cheers.

 

[SmCranf]

I just used a utility knife with a fresh blade to shave off the shelf brackets on mine. Just be careful to not cut yourself or slice up the walls too bad. I put some aluminum foil-style ducting tape over the brackets "holes" afterward (it's what I had on hand).

Two ball-locks fit will but, as others have probably mentioned, be prepared for it to be tight.

Cheers.

Thank for this, I will be doing that and cutting the tap tower hole soon, any advice or measurements for that so I don't ruin it? haha

 

[treacheroustexan]

This is currently the inside of mine. After I kick this keg, I am going to take everything out and unplug it. I am going to attempt to modify it finally! I plan on moving the freezer part to the very back as far as I can. I will keep one keg on the right side, and then have a 2.5 gallon keg on the left side and hopefully still be able to fit the co2 tank on the back shelf and then make a small removable shelf to sit on top of the 2.5 gallon keg to store bottles. The main thing I am worried about is drilling through the top of the fridge. Anyone have measurements or areas to avoid?

 

[mlclapp]

Anyone have tips for drilling holes in this model? I dont want to hit any refrigerant lines.

 

[treacheroustexan]

Anyone have tips for drilling holes in this model? I dont want to hit any refrigerant lines.

I went through the door.

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